Fun in the snow!

Yesterday afternoon, after Alexa's nap, we put on her new purple snow pants and went outside to play in the snow! She loved throwing chunks of snow and watching it break into pieces. Her snow pants, meanwhile, are soooo big on her. They'll definitely fit her next year. Which is good because this year is shaping up to be one without much snow. This was our only snow that stuck and it's already almost gone!

Henry's 1st Snow!

Unlike Alexa's first winter in 2009 when we got dumped with record amounts of snow, we only got a couple of inches last night. However, considering that it's already late January and this is the first snowfall of the winter that has stuck, we were excited to go play! Looks like Henry got his snowsuit just in time! Just like Alexa's first snowfall, Henry fell asleep pretty much right after all the snow fun!

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Whew. Last night was a bit crazy! The weather forecast was predicting a heavy snowfall, so the federal government shut down 2 hours early. We picked Alexa up at daycare and hit the road t at 3:45 p.m. It usually takes us 45 minutes to an hour to get home. But the snow started falling -- hard and fast -- right after we got on the road! We got stuck in traffic and didn't get home until almost 8 p.m.! Alexa was a real trooper. We were so glad to make it home. Here she is enjoying the snow this morning, as Daddy shoveled our driveway. Meanwhile, Alexa discovered the joy of EATING snow! Doh!

Alexa plays in the snow!

So far, no snowmagedden this year. We did get some snowfall, but not much and it hasn't really stuck. So when we got a couple inches today, we were quick to break out Alexa's snow boots and snowsuit! Her pretty snowsuit is from her cousin Samantha! Anyway, we went out back and Alexa played with the snow while checking out these beautiful Adrondiak chairs that Papa and Mema brought us. Can't wait until it's warm enough to chill in the back yard in these chairs!

And now, here is Alexa walking in the snow... She looks like a giant pink marshmellow!

Alexa shows off her new hat and jacket!

After Mia's yesterday, we stopped by my favorite consignment store... And Alexa got a cute hot pink jacket from GAP! I really wanted a cute winter jacket. But I didn't want to pay $50. Got this one for $17! Score! Also got this hat and matching mittens from Buy Buy Baby for $8, using a 20% off coupon. And, love this new pink fleece from REI, an early Christmas gift from Grandma!

Anyway, today is Sunday=Football, so we headed to a nearby mall where Daddy could watch the games at Dave & Busters and Alexa and I could go shopping. Fun! Everyone's happy! Wait until you see the cute hooded sweater that we got at Bloomingdales... And a beautiful ruffled skirt we found at GAP!

First BIG snowfall! This one stuck!

Alexa looked outside today and saw lots of WHITE! We had our first big snowfall of the year... Daddy went out and shoveled the driveway and sidewalk. It was only a few inches. Alexa got to wear her big winter coat! Yay for snow!

Shopping: From Petsmart to the Mall

I stayed home from work today to play with Alexa and Grandma. And guess what happened? It snowed! Our first snowfall! Luckily, the snow did not stick on the ground. But Alexa had a good time watching it fall from the window. She also loved putting on (and taking off) her new hat from Grandma E! Plus, doesn't she look adorable in this pink tulle skirt from Grandma Lil? So cute!

After the snow stopped, we went shopping! First, we went to Michaels to look for materials to make mitten clips. And guess what was right next door? Petsmart! Remembering how Grandma E had taken Alexa to pet stores, I jumped at the chance. What a great idea! As another mom put it: Pet stores are like FREE aquariums and zoos! Alexa got to see bunny rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, fish and birds. But her favorite part was looking at all the books about DOGS!

After Petsmart and a quick trip to REI to look for mittens and fleece jackets for Alexa, we headed to the MALL. It wasn't as bad as we had feared. Grandma and I enjoyed some free single-cups of coffee while Alexa munched on a soft pretzel. Then we headed to Ann Taylor and Banana Republic, where Alexa had a good time "shopping"!

Who's taller: Alexa or the snow?

The snow stopped this morning, so after Daddy went out to shovel, we decided to measure! Alexa was 23 inches long at her last appointment and a rough measure with the measuring tape shows she's about the same, maybe 23 1/2 inches long.

How much snow fell? Well, according to the National Weather Service the total snowfall in Bethesda, Md., was 24 inches! So the answer is that the snow is taller than Alexa!

Daddy and Alexa on the walk Daddy shoveled.

Here we are in front of our snow-covered house!

Here is the dive that Daddy shoveled. What a good job!

Mommy and Alexa walking through the NIH park.

Alexa slept the whole walk!

Alexa with Daddy and Grandpa at lunch! After a few errands, we headed home.

Here is Alexa later during her bath... Eating her hands!

Alexa's first SNOW STORM!

We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland outside! This is what our front yard looked like at about 9 a.m.

Our back yard by this afternoon...

But let me go back for a moment and tell you a little bit about waking up this morning. It was wonderful! After going to bed at 11 p.m., we woke up on our own at 8 a.m. Alexa, who went to sleep at 10:30 p.m., had just slept THE WHOLE NIGHT!

Now, technically, sleeping 6 hours counts as sleeping through the night. But, seriously, I need 8 hours to function! She slept 9 1/2 hours! So I slept longer than I have since before she was born!

And the best part... She didn't wake up crying. She was awake and happily hanging out in her crib. I walked into her room and was greeted by a huge smile! Here is Alexa this morning enjoying her chair - and watching the snow outside!

Around noon, we ventured outside to check out the snowfall. Our street was covered!

Here is Alexa with her Daddy and Grandpa at the NIH park near our house. The field was a vast expanse of snow!

We walked on the path to town... There were a few people out, but for the most part, the streets were deserted!

Luckily, our favorite Italian Market was open, so we got some cappuccinos!

Alexa stayed toasty warm in her new snow suit!

But the journey wore her out, so she took a nap with Grandpa!

Sunday in the Snow!

Today, we did what has become somewhat of a Sunday tradition... We walked to a local brewery restaurant and had lunch while watching football! Alexa usually sleeps through the outing. (She didn't this time... Arg!)

But anyway, since we knew the path would be snowy, we broke out our heavy duty stroller with the sturdy tires. Check it out!

Soon, Alexa will be big enough to ride in the stroller without the infant car seat! The seat reclines all the way down and our pediatrician said that if we use a head support cushion, she could ride in it laying down. We just got this insert from JJ Cole (for only $13.99, which is $10 less than retail price!) So we plan to try it out soon!

Also on Sunday, Alexa practiced her head control! Check it out! Click HERE to watch a video.

Alexa's first snowfall!

That's right, it was 60 degrees out on Thursday, but today it snowed! And it stuck... About 3 inches! Here is Alexa checking out the snow this morning with her Daddy...

At mid-day when the snow was still falling, we went out for a short walk - only to the park and back. It was a winter wonderland!

Look at our snowy backyard!

Alexa was all bundled up in her baby snowsuit from her cousin Samantha!

It was so exciting that she fell asleep and took a nice long nap.